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Programs help Airmen navigate toward degree

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erica Holbert-Siebert
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
7/09/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- --  "Much of what individuals can contribute to their work centers and the community may be discovered in the classrooms of the Education Center here," said Roland Smith, Education Center Manager. A goal of the Education Center is to host and support an educational environment for the Scott community. The center is open for business typically 18 hours a day for training, school or learning events, and more than 2,000 students used the Education Center during the last quarter, not including the evening classes.

The first place an Airman's educational journey begins is through the information presented at the First Term Airmen's Center to learn how to sign up for classes, sending prior transcripts to the Community College of the Air Force, learning how to use the Air Force Virtual Education Center, receive their supervisor's permission to begin classes and then they learn how to apply to a school that compliments an educational plan.

Smith said, "The individual needs to do a bit of self-searching to know what they want to achieve in terms of educational pursuits, whether it's earning their CCAF degree, commissioning as an officer, [certification] or a Bachelor's degree. This is something an Airman can do from the beginning, and it takes planning and research to figure that out."

"Going for the CCAF degree helps Airmen start taking classes again, which also helps them to know that time management is vital," said Smith, "Balancing the job, school, volunteering and social life is a challenge, but knowing how to take that on is a time management capability."

Another service provided at the Education Center is a National Testing Center, delivered through Southwestern Illinois College, where individuals can take CLEP, DSST, and other school examinations. Signing up to take an exam can be done by visiting the testing center or calling 618-641-6677. For active duty members, taking the CLEP and DSST exams is free the first time.

For other credits that can't be earned with an exam, paying for classes can be an expensive task, but for military members, Tuition Assistance is there to help.
Tuition Assistance is the vehicle designed to help Airmen pay for their part time schooling while on active duty. The limit is $250 per semester credit hour, or $166 per quarter credit hour, and $4500 per fiscal year.

While still active duty, members can decide to use a benefit called Top Up, which allows them to take funds from their GI Bill to pay for the additional costs that TA doesn't cover.

Smith said individuals can also decide how they want to use their other benefits at the point they decide to transition out of the military, and choosing which one of the two GI Bill benefits available.

The Montgomery GI Bill provides financial support for education up to 36 months, and is payable for 10 years. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financial and housing support to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after Sept. 10, 2001, or individuals with a service related disability and the benefits are payable for 15 years following separation.

Sean Issac, Airman and Family Readiness Center Veteran's Affairs Representative, said that individuals he assists are surprised that the Post 9/11 GI Bill covers as much as it does, including a housing, books and supplies stipend.

Issac said, "The hardest thing is getting started, and as long as you have your Certificate of Eligibility for use of the GI Bill, which is your ticket to begin using your benefit."

"A military member needs to make measureable plans from the beginning, and make room for the unpredictability of new orders and life changes," said Smith, "but I always say, look for ways that you can, vs. ways that you cannot. The Education Center is here to help with that process."

Education Fair

The Scott AFB Education and Training Center will be hosting an Education Fair August 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where over 40 colleges and universities will be represented to provide information to Scott community members. The fair is in conjunction with the 4th annual First Four Airman Leadership Conference, or FALCON.

Smith said bringing in a variety of speakers and events such as the fair helps inform students about what options are available to them. The topics covered also helps students to know what credentials and experience they would need to be hired in the civilian sector.